nystatin at a glance
Medicine class
Antifungal active against Candida yeasts.
Licensed uses
Prevention and treatment of candidal infection in the mouth, oesophagus and intestinal tract.
Administration
Shake well, measure with the supplied device and keep the liquid against affected mouth areas before swallowing.
What is nystatin used for?
The oral suspension is licensed for:
Treatment of candidal infection of the mouth, including oral thrush and Candida-associated denture soreness.
Treatment of candidal infection of the oesophagus or intestinal tract.
Prevention of candidal infection, including oral candidosis in newborns of mothers with vaginal candidosis.
How does nystatin work?
Nystatin disrupts the fungal cell membrane, causing its contents to leak out and killing susceptible Candida. It is negligibly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, so the oral suspension acts mainly where it contacts the mouth and digestive tract.
nystatin preparations and strengths
Oral suspension
Route: Oral
Strengths: 100000 units/mL
How to take nystatin
Follow the prescription label and supplied leaflet.
Shake the ready-mixed suspension well before use.
Measure with the supplied oral syringe or another proper medicine-measuring device, not a kitchen teaspoon.
Keep it in contact with affected areas of the mouth for as long as practical before swallowing.
Do not dilute or mix it with food, water or another drink.
Avoid eating or drinking immediately afterwards so it is not washed away too soon.
nystatin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal or gastrointestinal discomfort
Get urgent medical advice
- Sudden facial, mouth or throat swelling, breathing difficulty or collapse
- Widespread blistering, peeling or otherwise severe rash
- Signs of sensitisation or a significant allergic reaction
nystatin in pregnancy
NHS guidance states that nystatin can be used during pregnancy. The selected product information notes limited formal reproductive data and advises considering potential benefit and risk.
nystatin while breastfeeding
NHS guidance considers nystatin compatible with breastfeeding and notes that it is not thought to enter breast milk. The selected product information recommends caution because direct milk-excretion data are unavailable, although gastrointestinal absorption is insignificant.
nystatin interactions
No direct medicine interactions are known for the selected oral suspension, but practical cautions remain.
Other prescribed medicines
No specific interactions are identified; tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all medicines being used.
Combined or progestogen-only contraceptive pills
Nystatin does not directly reduce contraceptive effectiveness, but vomiting or severe diarrhoea can impair pill protection; follow the pill leaflet.
Herbal and complementary products
Interaction evidence is limited, so disclose these products to a pharmacist or prescriber.
Common questions about nystatin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is nystatin an antibiotic or an antifungal?
It is an antifungal. It treats susceptible fungi and yeasts rather than bacterial infections.
Can oral suspension treat a fungal infection throughout the body?
No. It is negligibly absorbed and must not be used to treat systemic fungal infection.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.